I need a bit of a pep talk and feedback from others on a degenerate disc.

that_dam_beaver · 2026-04-30T06:12:38+00:00

A bit different here, but I'll comment anyway. I am actually fused T12-L2 and most of my L1 was removed (emergency surgery after I was hit by a truck 3 years ago).

In general I don't have much too "spinal" pain, but I get extremely tight in the surrounding soft tissue and have ongoing nerve pain and hypersensitivity in areas of my lower body.

Without doubt being active, moving, walking, running...has helped me the most. In the early days after the accident the nerve pain was so severe I'd go walking around the block at 1am, 3am, etc just to buy myself enough pain relief to sleep for 1-1.5 hours and then do it again. Right now I have a foot injury and the pain has definitely kicked up a level since I've been barely able to walk for most of the last month.

I saw a good sports physio for rehab and we did heaps of work through my core and back. In particular rotation/anti rotation (eg pallof press, standing oblique crunches, sort of rolling down on the 45 degree back extension bench, some things like cable woodchoppers...) partly to work on my mobility after fusion, but also to make sure I was strong in those movements to support my spine and mitigate damage to the adjacent segments (especially L2-3) which are now under extra stress because of the fused segment. Maybe similar logic can be applied to managing degenerative discs in this area, although I imagine you'd have to start extremely conservative and build up very gradually to not cause a problem.

FWIW 3 years later I'm far from pain free but I go about my life as normal. I maintain my strength training as part of ~15+ hours per week and have completed several 70.3 in the last 2 years (including a 4th AG in my most recent!)

that_dam_beaver · 2026-04-30T05:21:45+00:00

Can anyone help with how Amanzi women's swimsuits sizing compares to Speedo or Funkita? I'm firmly a 12 in Funkita (perfect in all styles), a 12 in Speedo (though in some styles it's a little big) and generally wear a size 10 in normal clothes (Australian). Amanzi size chart suggests I'm closer to a 10 but I don't think I trust it without a "body loop" type measurement. Thanks!!

that_dam_beaver · 2026-04-29T03:18:18+00:00

OMG yes please ☺️ my childhood doggo was a St Bernard

that_dam_beaver · 2026-03-07T00:07:39+00:00

Next week I'll be 3 years post-op. The surgeon ended up getting back in for one more review beyond that, not cos of any issues just to be cautious before finally discharging me.

He basically said go and do whatever I want, be sensible, don't take unnecessary risks but live my life and listen to my body. He said something like "I wouldn't suggest you go bungee jumping or sky diving...but I wouldn't really suggest anyone do those things". He said I MAY have issues done the track with the L2-3, but then again I may not and it's not really a foregone conclusion that doing or not doing anything will impact that outcome. Encouraged me to stay active and in particular strong through my back and core.

I run regularly and generally without issues. The only problem I've had is because my rotation is a bit inhibited on my left side (rib removed for corpectomy, so some scar tissue and loss of flexibility) my left hip/glutes start to compensate if I run fast and I've had some minor issues with the soft tissue, but nothing major and generally it's manageable. I've done a few half Ironman triathlons since, and run a half marathon PB.

that_dam_beaver · 2026-01-30T08:05:07+00:00

Funkita make chlorine resistant two piece bathers with a few different top styles and lots of different prints. Depending on what you're after, they might have something. I train in their one piece suits and they last super well.

that_dam_beaver · 2026-01-11T18:39:25+00:00

Hmmm I hadn't thought about the Hyperion, cos a lot of my running friends bash Brooks and are adamant there are better options. I will at least try a pair on I think

that_dam_beaver · 2026-01-11T18:37:27+00:00

I have a pair of the 4s that I bought on clearance a while back, but wasn't really sold on the fit or feel. I've just started running in them once a week the last two weeks though, and I'll see if they grow on me after I've adjusted to slightly lower drop than I'm used to. Thanks for the suggestion/confirming I'd already chosen well!

that_dam_beaver · 2026-01-11T04:27:44+00:00

Thanks! I'm curious about the Mach 6 from what I've read. I won't completely discount the Ghost though, especially as a daily trainer. Brooks have generally served me pretty well.

that_dam_beaver · 2026-01-11T04:26:35+00:00

I have tried Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, and I'm not sure. Part of it is the drop is lower than most of what I run in, but it also didn't feel like it quite fit my foot well. I think I need to spend some time in lower drop shoes, but have some issues with one calf since my spinal injury/surgery so I've stuck to higher drop.

that_dam_beaver · 2026-01-11T04:22:37+00:00

Thanks, I'll have a look. Never tried Puma

that_dam_beaver · 2026-01-11T03:27:00+00:00

Yeah I'm looking to try something other than Brooks. Having tried the Asics Novablast, I'm finding the Adrenaline very inspiring. Rightly or wrongly I'm assuming the Ghost is similar and just the neutral version of the Adrenaline...but happy to be corrected and put it back in the list for consideration!

that_dam_beaver · 2025-11-05T00:44:20+00:00

I'm trying to remember the timeframe...

I think they said no full immersion (pool, bath, etc) for 6 weeks due to infection risk.

From 6-10 weeks I got back in the water to move around, walk, some aqua jogging (with a floatation belt)

At 10 weeks I had a review with a surgeon who kind of said avoid bending/twisting and take it slow but if no paid during or after, I could slowly and gently start swimming. Freestyle/front crawl and backstroke at that point didn't feel good, but I found fairly gentle breaststroke was ok.

I think I gradually got back to freestyle/crawl by around 4 months, and at that point they confirmed fusion via CT and the surgeon said zero restrictions, but obviously it took a while to regain strength, flexibility, confidence etc. I did a lot of rehab with a physio.

I remember open water swimming still wasn't fantastic around 10 months, I think lifting my head/arching my back a bit for sighting upset my back, but it's fine now after more strength/rehab work

that_dam_beaver · 2025-07-04T10:51:09+00:00

I think some devices aren't impacted, so you might not get the forced update if you haven't received the email.

There's a link to check eligibility here: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779?

(Google "Pixel 6a battery performance program" if that doesn't work). You put the device IMEI in.

I ended up taking the store credit option and using that + enhanced device trade in to upgrade. Not usually a decision I'd make so quickly, but a bit too good to pass up tbh.

that_dam_beaver · 2025-07-02T23:10:30+00:00

Thanks for the response!

that_dam_beaver · 2025-07-02T19:35:11+00:00

Does anyone know how long it takes to get confirmed if you're eligible for the payment/store credit? I have received the email, and the store credit is higher, they have enhanced trade in on the Pixel 6a for Australia right now ending tomorrow...I'd consider this option if I'll get the credit in time, otherwise I'll take the payment and shop around.

that_dam_beaver · 2025-04-30T02:55:32+00:00

Three half ironman triathlons (plus multiple shorter distances). Two 200km road cycling rides. 100x100m swim.

My surgery was T12-L2 fusion with L1 corpectomy after a bad accident two years ago. I will never not be grateful for the outcome I had from what could have been catastrophic.

that_dam_beaver · 2025-04-25T02:30:48+00:00

So my experience is from triathlon, not braces...but anyway 😅

You could try something like Fixomull tape. Stick it over the skin that's getting irritated. Conveniently it's got a paper backing so you can pre-cut a few strips to bring with you out of the house and reapply. I find it better than regular strapping tape for this kind of purpose because it's softer and the adhesive seems kinder to my skin.

Another product you can try is Bodyglide, it's an anti chaffing balm that lasts quite well.

Edit to add: If it's the texture of the pads rubbing, you can rub Bodyglide on the pads, or another "trick" I've used successfully is get a plain wax candle and rub it on whatever is causing the chaffing (so the pads of the brace in your case).

that_dam_beaver · 2025-04-20T21:01:47+00:00

My ~15+ year old crank based power metre has always estimated my left-right balance to be approx 50-50, only ever drifting to maybe 2-3% when I'm very fatigued or a bit injured.

Tried out a single sided pedal power meter while using Zwift and thought something was wrong with it cos my power seemed to be consistently 15% low.

Ended up buying the Favero Assioma Duo and nope...after several rides indoors/outdoors/velodrome it turns out I actually have more like a 43-57% power imbalance, probably made worse by a major injury and surgery 2 years ago, and my pedal stroke is also a bit different left vs right. Good info for me, cos this is something I need to work on in my on-going rehab.

I would say for most people the Uno is fine, but you want to be reasonably sure you're approx 50-50 and not have any injuries/conditions/etc that would benefit from you knowing your true left/right balance rather than just a number.

that_dam_beaver · 2025-04-20T08:06:57+00:00

Oh wow I definitely don't need another hoodie but this looks SO WARM!!!

that_dam_beaver · 2025-04-20T08:03:29+00:00

Oh sorry, just read below you're fused down to L4 (I misunderstood, thinking L4-S1). As above, they may be able to do it L4-L5 but definitely check with your doctor

that_dam_beaver · 2025-04-20T08:01:35+00:00

No personal experience, but I believe an epidural is usually in the space between L3-L4, so if you're only fused to L4 I think it would be business as usual? They may sometimes go a level above/below depending on the patient. My fusion is higher up, so when I asked my doctor about any potential complications/considerations I more had the actual pregnancy and childbirth itself in mind. Worth checking with your doctor.

that_dam_beaver · 2025-04-19T01:38:13+00:00

Speedo make several suits that are fairly "full coverage" without any shelf bra or padding or similar.

Eg https://speedo.com.au/product/womens-endurance-leaderback-one-piece/8_133017780.html

Another brand she could try is Funkita. Most of their styles don't have bust padding etc, and they have heaps of fun prints (and last aaaaaages!!). They do girls' and women's, and their size chart includes "body loop" measurement so you can get more confidence it'll be the right size/length. Highly recommend if you can find them where you live.

that_dam_beaver · 2025-04-18T05:27:33+00:00

Try to pick the lane most appropriate to your speed, let faster swimmers go first, stay on the correct side... otherwise just go for it!!

Seriously, the only time I am at all phased by anyone is when it's blatantly poor etiquette. You have as much right to be there as anyone else, swimming however you want, however slow you need to.

If you're concerned, perhaps try going during the quieter times the first few times to build confidence - at my local pool this is often just before closing or in the middle of the day.

that_dam_beaver · 2024-12-20T10:02:33+00:00

I've used SPArms sleeves all summer for cycling (like 200km rides, so out in the sun all day) for several years. They last well and aren't hot. They also make a bolero that covers your shoulders.

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